SU.VO.T..shaping tomorrow’s tourism in SU.VO.T..shaping tomorrow’s tourism in a sustainable mannera sustainable manner

SU.VO.T ConferenceRimini, Italy24 November 2007

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Kirsten WolfrathProject Coordinator, ITC

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability

Tourism is a vital economic factor

natural resources cultural resources values of tourists

Destinations need to adapt to changing environments:

climate change & behaviour patterns

SU.VO.TSU.VO.T

Scientific evidence urges action:

climate change will impact water resources temperatures

ecosystems & biodiversity agriculture energy production tourism ...

The climate is changing!The climate is changing!

Fourth Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) published February 2007 on science of climate change.

Consensus: most of warming since mid-20th century is due to human activities.

Over the last 200 years, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere (major gas that causes climate change) has increased by 30%.

This and other gases stop some of the Earth’s radiation from escaping to space (greenhouse effect). Result = Earth warms up, mainly due to burning of coal, gas and oil (human energy needs).

(Role of IPCC: To assess scientific basis of the risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options

for adaptation and mitigation).

Global warming - a changing climateGlobal warming - a changing climate

Temperature increase: 10 hottest years on record since 1991. Temperatures have risen by 0,6° in the past century. Oceans have warmed down to 3,000 metres. Mountain glaciers and snow cover have declined. Arctic ice cover is shrinking in depth and in extent. Satellites have seen an acceleration in sea level rise (10 - 20 cm during the 20th century). Lengthening of growing seasons.

More extremes in weather patterns and changing precipitation: More intense and longer droughts have been recorded. More intense rainfall. 150 million people affected by floods worldwide (7 million in 60s).

Source: IPCC 2007

What is happening now?What is happening now?

HadRM3H-modelSource: PRUDENCE (Christensen et al, 2002) EU 5FP

City Analogues

Climate change: Climate change: Principal Principal EnvironmentalEnvironmentalProblemsProblems

Probable temperature rise by end of 21st century: 1.8 - 4°C possible: 1.1 and 6.4°C.

Sea levels are likely to rise by 28-43cm (several meters?). Arctic summer sea ice likely to disappear 2nd half of

century. Climate instability and extremes: Very likely that parts of the

world will see an increase in the number of heat-waves; Likely increased intensity of tropical storms.

Changing ecosystems

Tomorrow different from today?Tomorrow different from today?

Southern & South Eastern Europe: droughts, heat waves, forest fires, biodiversity loss..

Tourist resorts may become too hot for summer holidays

- shift to spring & autumn?

Western & Atlantic Europe:more extreme events:storm&floods, dryer hotter summersMountains: summer holidays could become more attractive but

unlikely to compensate for losses of the skiing industry Central Europe increased risk of floods could threaten houses & infrastructure

Northern Europe: longer growing seasons, but maybe new diseases, Baltic Sea

may be affected from algal bloom and pollution

Impact on European RegionsImpact on European Regions

These impacts on resources will significantly affect key economic activities: Tourism

Climate change is non-linearnon-linear in character: non-action today means serious impact later on.

Very limited timeframe in which to act : 13 years13 years (countdown ...) Consider the impact on communities: bio-diversity (fauna and

flora already endangered), citizens, infrastructure, food crops, ... Consider the cost: inaction / delayed action / acting now Cheaper to act nowCheaper to act now - Stern Report.

Time and costTime and cost

Climate change mitigation should remain a priority Energy & water saving and efficiency Renewables: economic consequences - competitive advantage

Set ambitious targets for tourism enterprises & resources use

Urgent need to develop strategies for adaptation to the already

inevitable climate changes: working groups

A successful adaptation strategy needs a common & integrated

approach: Sustainable Tourism management needs to be integrated into

governance & management structures for the sustainability plan of

your city

Time to adaptTime to adapt

Action in diverse areas neededAction in diverse areas needed

Reduce energy & water consumption

Use energy efficiency measures

Change to renewable energy (RE)

Sustainable transport: green fleets, good public transport, support for pedestrians and cyclists.

Reduce and recycle waste

A common & integrated approachA common & integrated approach

TheSustainability

Cycle

(update of…)

Baseline Review

Core document: Sustainability Report

Target Setting

Core document: Sustainability Targets.

Political Commitment

Core document: Council Approval

Implementation & Monitoring

Core document: Sustainability Programme

Evaluation and Reporting

Core document: Evaluation Report

Adaptation can only be achieved in the tourism industry if it becomes more sustainable.

Make sector more resilient to changes in climatic conditions & resources : Implementation of efficient use of resources Diversification of tourism activities (SU.VO.T) increase awareness and foster necessary behavioural change

tourists & enterprises

Truly sustainable tourismTruly sustainable tourism

More intensive co-operation & common action using existing

mechanism:

The Network of Cities for Sustainable Tourism

European Network of regions for a sustainable and competitive tourism ..

More intensive cooperationMore intensive cooperation

International Local Government Association (LGO): Environment Protection and Sustainable Development

More than 600 members in 66 countries, e.g. Berlin, London, Bursa, Barcelona, New York, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg, Delhi, Sydney, Kyoto,…...

Climate Protection, REnergy, Water management, Local Agenda 21, Sustainable Purchasing ...

Lead organisation representing local governments at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP), e.g. Bali 2007.

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

Cities interact withinternational agencies

ConclusionConclusion

The clock is ticking. We can still avoid dangerous climate change, although it is too late for some species.

How much longer will be say ‘Urgent action is needed’, and wait for others to take the lead? Take the lead at local level.

How? Obtain cross-party political consensus to ensure continuity on climate protection priorities and action (develop a short to long-term vision). Link up to networks and actions that address mitigation and adaptation. We offer you: ICLEI and the CCP Campaign.

Decide to do something, plan how to do it, and do it. Now Decide to do something, plan how to do it, and do it. Now would be a good time ...would be a good time ...